Andrea Westkamp, OSB

Sister Andrea Westkamp is a member of Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA. Currently, she is serving as subprioress, canonical treasurer, oblate director and spiritual director. Her background is in pastoral counseling, spiritual direction and early childhood education. She enjoys long walks, artwork, reading mysteries. Her passion is exploring the depth of the Rule of Benedict for our times.

Sister Andrea's reflections begin February 21 and continue through Lent.

Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2021
Andrea Westkamp, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Hildegard 2 – Listening with the Heart
Hildegard is a great companion - you might have noticed this already as you journeyed with her this past week.

We reflected on penance and conversion last week. Penance, Hildegard reminds us, begins in the heart and so does conversion.

We keep pondering on the heart and Benedict's words that we need to listen with the ear of our heart. Is this what Benedictine Spirituality helps us to realize for our own lives? Realizing that listening is a matter of the heart? What would be different this Lent if we practiced to listen with the heart?

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First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent
February 21, 2021
Andrea Westkamp, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Hildegard 1 – Deep Listening
We will set out on our Lenten journey this year with five amazing Benedictine Women! These are depicted in a stained-glass window in our monastery chapel in Bristow, VA. As we ponder what it means to be Benedictine and to celebrate the centennial of our federation, these five saints can be role models for us. How did living the Rule of Benedict transform their lives?

As we pray in the chapel daily, the window and the saints speak to us. You can find St. Hildegard (1098 – 17 September 1179) on the left. She is wearing a big cross that signifies her as an abbess. In her right hand, she is holding a quill and in her left, a book. She was a writer, poet, composer, scientist, and herbalist and had other tremendous gifts. Her spirit shimmers through her writings and continues to inspire many.

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